in person autos – topps 52s – 2007 pitchers

Those of you dying to see which 2007 Topps 52 Rookies cards I’ve gotten autographed by pitchers are in luck. Those of you wishing I would move on to something else will have to wait a while longer.

Jack Cassel (2007 – no. 173)

A right-handed starter for the Round Rock Express (Houston Astros), Cassel absolutely schooled Isotopes batters recently- holding them to a pair of earned runs over eight solid innings while improving his season Triple A record to 4-1. Cassel is maintaining a 2.17 ERA, going 45.2 innings over 7 starts against some pretty impressive PCL club lineups. Jack has struck out 24 batters while walking only 10. I guess what I’m trying to say is this… the next time he gets called up to pitch for Houston, fantasy managers should not hesitate to claim him. Jack also has a bother Justin who is a pitcher with the Birmingham Barons (Chicago White Sox) and another brother Matt who plays football for the New England Patriots.

Eulogio De la Cruz (2007 – no. 63)

“Frankie” was called up from Albuquerque for a spot start against the San Francisco Giants this past Sunday afternoon. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that his performance that resulted in two earned runs via four walks and a pair of hits over three innings earned him a flight back to Albuquerque. De la Cruz currently leads the Albuquerque Isotopes pitching staff with a record of 6-2, a 4.35 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. De la Cruz has logged 49.2 innings over 9 starts, striking out 40 batters while issuing 19 walks, hitting a couple of chaps, and serving up a pair of homers. I’m betting his next start in the majors will be better, but I’m not placing any wagers on when that will be.

Juan Gutierrez (2007 – no. 163)

So far this season, Gutierrez has been hit hard and often during his 10 starts for the Tucson Sidewinders (Arizona Diamondbacks), resulting in a record of 1-8 and an ERA of 5.65 over 51 innings. Though off to a less than stellar start, Gutierrez remains in good spirits and doesn’t seem to mind taking a few minutes before a game to sign cards for fans. Other players (not named here) could certainly learn a little by observing how Juan behaves when not on the mound.
Marcus Gwyn (2007 – no. 177)

A middle reliever for the Isotopes, Gwyn is maintaining an ERA of 4.85 over 26 innings in 18 appearances this season. Marcus has been averaging a strikeout about every third batter, and issuing walks just under one every other inning. Gwyn’s win-loss record this season remains a blank slate.

Neal Musser (2007 – no. 132)

A relief pitcher with the Omaha Royals (Kansas City Royals), this southpaw currently has a season record of 0-4 with an ERA of 3.55 and a strikeout to walk ratio of just over 2:1. Musser has logged 25.1 innings over 17 appearances so far in 2008.

Jailen Peguero (2007 – no. 66)

Blast! Another smudged auto!!! I really liked the signature of this Tucson Sidewinders (Arizona Diamondbacks) reliever- before it got messed up. Well, if he doesn’t start pitching better than he has to start this season, changes are he’ll be bouncing around in the minor leagues long enough for me to obtain another card and try again the next time he passes thru town.

Connor Robertson (2007 – no. 149)

Yet another relief pitcher for the Tucson Sidewinders (Arizona Diamondbacks), Connor Robertson was extremely pleasant when I asked him for an autograph. I especially like this card, as well as all of the other Oakland Athletics cards that feature photos shot during spring training and the infamous Papago Butte in the background.

Brad Salmon (2007 – no. 116)

I didn’t actually manage to get this card signed myself as the only day I had off to get autographs from Omaha Royals (Kansas City Royals) players, Salmon was in a rush to get warmed up so he could pitch erratically in relief against the Isotopes- somehow yielding only two earned runs in two innings while walking four batters and coughing up four hits. Obviously that was more important than signing cards for a few fans. Instead, I was able to acquire this autographed card in a trade with one of the other graphers.

Daniel Barone (2007 – no. 169)

Before anyone gets upset and emails me claiming that I am fluffing my blog entries by reposting autographs, please read my explanation. Yes, I’ve posted Daniel Barone’s card before, but not this exact one. I’m posting another of his autographed cards in order to remind you that I am happy to make trades with anyone else working on getting as many of the Topps 52s autographed as possible. Please refer to the trade rules and lists posted on the Aardvark Trading Company website, and keep in mind that I am only interested in autographs signed in blue Sharpie.